Interior
Design-
Success
Thousands of grads working in art and design. -
Experienced Instructors
Learn from instructors who work in the industry. -
Endless Opportunity
Use your skills anywhere in the world.
-
Diploma
-
72 Weeks
-
vancouver Campus
Program Overview
Space, lighting and design can influence how people feel, think, work, and relate to each other. Interior design is a rewarding and creative career that allows you to bring beauty and function into the lives of others.
VCAD's Interior Design program allows you to develop a skill set that compliments your creative vision so you can excel in interior design. The program introduces students to design principles, colour theory, space planning, drafting and industry-standard software.
Students learn to create beautifully effective residential, commercial, industrial and public space designs and layouts. Graduates of this program will have developed a portfolio to showcase their design work and be prepared to enter a career as an interior designer, planner, project manager or design consultant.
This program is 100% online. To learn about the required technology/devices to complete this program, please click here.
Please check with the campus for availability.
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
- Interior Designer Interior Designers curate interior spaces through decor, colour, and layout design.
- Residential Designer Residential Designers are responsible for improving functionality, mood, and aesthetics within residential properties through a combination of technical and creative skills.
- Furniture Designer Furniture Designers are specialized professionals who plan, test and create furniture.
- Decorator Decorators are responsible for decorating interior spaces through decor, colour, and furnishings.
SKILLS GAINED
- Develop an interior design project
- Integrate trends into interior design
- Produce interior design sketches
- Draw objects and spaces to scale
- Produce drawings using a computer-assisted drafting system
- Understand colour theory and use colour to influence mood
- Suggest finishes and materials for a project
- Specify the accessories, furniture and equipment for a project
- Use interior architectural and construction elements
- Create an interior design concept for a residence
- Create lighting concepts
- Produce working drawings and specifications
- Plan a layout for an industrial commercial or public building
- Create an interior design concept for a commercial, industrial or public building
- Promote your interior design services effectively
Courses Timeline
Your program begins by introducing you to the interior design industry by building up your fundamental skills like drawing and drafting by hand.
Now we build on the basic skills we have developed. Students are introduced to building codes and regulations on top of developing their foundational skills further.
Continue to expand your skill set in both fundamentals of the design process as well as using industry programs like AutoCAD and Sketchup. In this term, you will also be introduced to residential design.
Learn how human-centric design helps to shift not only the mood but ergonomics of an office. In this team, you will also be introduced to Revit.
Learn about commercial design and how lighting affects interiors. As you close out the term, you will begin thinking about the projects you will include in your portfolio.
This term is about honing your craft and getting ready to enter the industry. This semester consists of final projects, portfolio building, and job preparation through career development and training. Here you present to the industry and begin your career.
- Term 1
- Term 2
- Term 3
- Term 4
- Term 5
- Term 6
-
Introduction to Interior Design
This course will provide an introduction to the conventions of interior design. Students will learn the principles of design and how to apply them. This course will serve as an introduction to the studio series of classes students will participate in throughout the program. Special attention will be given to the process of design and the tools we use to create.
-
Colour & Design
This course will build students’ understanding of colour and design principles through exploration and application across media, visual, and applied practice. This course will introduce students to the fundamental principles of colour theory through design, such as layout, composition, balance, colour science and theory and teach them how to apply these principles. These concepts will be reinforced through specific practical exercises and activities that will...
-
Drawing I
This course will focus on the development of perceptual and descriptive skills through an introduction to a variety of drawing media, techniques, and subject matter. Through this course, students will acquire a thorough understanding of the elements of art and the principles of organization as related to drawing. Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of contour lines, positive and negative space, perspective, sighting of angles, and measurements of...
-
Architectural Drafting 1 – Hand Drafting and Standards
This course will introduce students to the preparation of twodimensional architectural drawings. Topics will include the identification and use of drafting equipment, drafting in scale, basic lettering, line weights, dimension techniques, and standard notation conventions. Emphasis will be placed on orthographic projections related to floor plans, elevations, and ceiling plans. Students will gain the skills and techniques necessary to express any design concept gra...
-
Photoshop I
In this course, students will gain an understanding of the application and importance of image editing and construction as a universal skill in across diverse design genres. This course introduces students to raster image-editing software, Adobe Photoshop. Through this 'hands-on' course, students will acquire skills with workflow fundamentals, as well as advanced features, and tips, and acquire the skills to prepare images for digital output and print. Emph...
-
Architectural Design History
Throughout history, humans have built spaces. This course will look at the history of structure in architecture and design and will explore the built environment through time. This course will examine how the design of great structures and buildings has evolved and the impact this has on design in the 21st century. Students will gain an understanding of where we have come from through history to where we are at today.
-
Drawing 2 – Perspective in Structures
This course builds on the principles learned in Drawing 1 and looks at how we apply them to the field of architecture and design. Students will build their skill set in order to be able to deliver industry standard drawings, and will hone their ability to use drawing as a tool of expression to convey design intent. Focus will be paid to applying the concepts and principles of perspectives to built structures.
-
Architectural Drafting 2 – AutoCAD and Layout
This introductory-level course will explore the fundamental features of the industry standard AutoCAD software. Students will learn to use the tools, features, and commands to create simple drawings in the context of developing a small design project.
-
Materiality
This course will teach the different types, applications, qualities, and conformance of materials and their uses in interior spaces. Based on a set of requirements, students will research, analyze, sample, source, and cost materials. The significance of material choice on the construction process will be emphasised and thoroughly examined.
-
Toolbox: Introduction to Concept and Space Planning
This course will cover the development and application of concepts in the design process. Techniques for space planning will be introduced, investigated, put to use, and solved. Students will learn how to visualize unique layouts and hone the art of space planning by using a variety of diagrams, infographics, matrices, and approaches. This course will introduce the consideration of additional factors such as sustainability and building code and how to incorporate t...
-
3D Modelling 1 – Sketchup
This course will introduce students to industry standard architectural rendering software that allows the user to increase the level of detail in their 2D/3D drawings and renderings. Students will also be introduced to the Building Information Modeling (BIM) system and learn how to manage projects across programs and platforms. BIM is a process that facilities the generation, sharing, and management of 3D visual representations of physical space and the functi...
-
Architectural Drafting 3 – Advanced AutoCAD
In this course students will explore the advanced features of AutoCAD and how they can apply them to the standards of working drawing creation, A & D Practice, and for the creation and sharing of designs. Students will be required to create and modify complex digital design documents representing detailed 3D interior and exterior spaces. The course will begin by exploring advanced drawing and modification tools and techniques.
-
Architectural Design and Details
This course will cover the principles and practices of building construction, the technology, materials, and procedures utilized in building small-scale structures, the impact of the environment, and the significance of material selection. Students will work through actual structural modelling activities and acquire a fundamental understanding of the behaviour of structures both quantitatively and qualitatively.
-
Building Codes and Regulations
This course will explore the basic residential, commercial, and public building fire and safety codes as they apply to external and internal building features and the immediate building environment. The course will focus on the influence of the application of building codes on a building’s internal design and construction. Students will learn how codes and standards impact the design process and how they must be applied to ensure that the final design is comp...
-
Studio 1 – Residential
This course will acquaint students with the studio process by giving them the chance to further develop their design narrative for use on single-family residential structures. Students will be introduced to the design process and learn how to successfully develop and implement a residential home design.
-
3D Modeling 2 – Rendering 1
In this course, students will build upon the information they have learned so far in the modeling process. Students will develop their SketchUp skills further and start to learn about industry standard architectural rendering software that allows users to increase the level of detail in their 2D/3D drawings and renderings. Students will also be introduced to Building Information Modeling (BIM) as a concept and model.
-
Architectural Drafting 4 - Revit 1
Building upon the information learned in the Architectural Drafting stream, students will learn the applications of these concepts through the use of Revit Software. Students will learn how to use and apply this software while exploring BIM methodology and applications that can translate between drafting and 3D platforms.
-
Interior Detailing
This course will introduce the phase that follows the design phase. After the architectural objective of a building has been determined and approved, precise technical drawings are produced. Students will learn how to convert the design into a series of technical understanding of building procedures.
-
Human-Centric Design
Human-centric design is concerned with creating designs that take human perception and function into account. In this course, students will learn how to use ergonomics, anthropometry, and standards to better understand how people interact with designed objects and how to make that interaction successful.
-
Studio 2 - Office
In this course, the knowledge gained in Studio 1 will be expanded upon and applied to the office design process. Through design, students will learn about the design process, information collecting, materiality, ergonomics, anthropometry, and workplace wellness. For their office space, students will develop and put into practice an idea and design narrative.
-
3D Modelling 3 – Rendering 2
This course will further develop students’ ability to interpret industry standard architectural rending software that allows the user to increase the level of detail in their 2D/3D drawings and renderings. Students will also be introduced to Building Information Modeling (BIM). BIM is a process that facilities the generation, sharing, and management of 3D visual representations of physical space and the functional components and systems found in them.
-
Concept and Programming
This course will build upon the concepts and knowledge gained regarding the beginning stages of project development. Students will investigate concept development, application, and the project-based work's pre-design and programming phases. The foundation and material from this course will serve as the basis for the Capstone Design Project that students will continue to work on in Studio 4 as they construct their design narrative.
-
A and D Business Communications/CA
This course will examine the construction industry standards for document management and production. The course will focus on communication and business procedures to help students make a smooth transition into the job. Students will learn industry language, protocols, processes, and overall development of business acumen in all manners of communication matters.
-
Lighting Design
This course will investigate the significance and requirements of illumination in space. Students will learn how light defines places and shapes through studying the theory of light, the different types of lighting, and how they can be used. Throughout the course, students will construct a complex lighting scheme.
-
Studio 3 - Commercial - Restuarants
This course will focus on restaurant design. A running kitchen and the many standards, specialised demands, and programming requirements that go into restaurant design must coexist in harmony. In term six, students will design their term project, which will become a component of their capstone project. Students will carefully create the plans, designs, and working drawings for this space's lighting and materiality. Students will spend a lot of time figuring out...
-
Architectural Working Drawings
This course will cover the process of creating construction drawing documentation. Students will gain familiarity with the steps involved in creating the first portion of the documentation, including drawing lists, drawing contents, formats, sheet numbering, labelling, annotations, and procedures in accordance with standards used in the construction industry. The course will emphasize the importance of understanding the legal implications of precise documentation....
-
Sustainability in Design
This course will cover the principles and applications of sustainability and focus on the use of Passive House technology. Students will be introduced to different sustainability measures, systems, theory, and construction methods.
-
Professional Skills and Career Development
This course will support students' career growth in relation to entering the sector. In order to help students find a position that is tailored to their skills, this course will concentrate on resume generation, mock interviews, portfolio preparation, the interview process, unwritten laws of the workplace, and interview methods.
-
Studio 4 Commercial – Mixed Use
In this course, students will develop a thorough project brief. Using the knowledge and skills learned in the program, students will develop an architectural design project including design drawings and renderings. Design, planning, function, efficiency, buildability, and sustainability will all be given priority. Students will receive guidance throughout the procedure. At the conclusion of the term, students will present their final project to the class.
-
Portfolio and Presentations
This course will prepare the student for graduation and final portfolio completion. The portfolio will showcase the strengths and talents of each student in a branded, visually appealing presentation. Time will be spent focusing on content that showcases primary skills, including presentation techniques, sharing information, and creating a strong portfolio for entering the industry.
Costs & Requirements
- High school graduation or equivalent (From an English language teaching institution)
- Or Mature student status (19 years of age upon starting classes, and pass college’s admissions test
This program has been approved by the registrar of the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) of the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training.
For tuition prices and costs, fill out the request info form to speak with an admissions representative.
VCAD's Refund Policy abides by the Private Training Regulation of the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) Private Training Act.
For more information, click here.
Check out and connect with some Alumni on LinkedIn.
- Noel Gabriel Ambrosio 2020
- Nikki Katouzian 2022
- Dryden Sereda 2022
- Madison Prangnell 2020
- Tuong Kim Thuy Nguyen 2020
Student Testimonials
-
If it wasn't for VCAD I don't think I would be where I am today. I've had some amazing opportunities, I've met some wonderful people - amazing connections, and I'll be forever grateful.
- Sabrina Laprise -
The most important thing that I learned at VCAD was how to use software - graphic design software.
- Ewa Wawryszuk -
What drew me to the interior design program was that it was a creative industry and also that it's business oriented.
- Luc Kwan -
I chose VCAD because of all the options and programs that they offered, and I wanted to succeed and through not just my classes but also making like really cool things that I'm proud of.
- Luke Johnston -
The instructors are really helpful, even outside school projects. They gave me a lot of advice about improving my skills as a graphic designer.
- Maricel Benjamin -
The most valuable part of the program is the one on one time with the teachers. They are always willing to go out of their way to make sure you understand what you are doing.
- Katrina Selkirk
Portfolio
Hear from a graduate about the interior design experience at VCAD.
Meet our Instructors
-
Carlos Mier
Interior Design
Explore More Programs
Would you like to get more information or apply?
Click on the button below and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.